“What the fuck happened to your neck?!” Chanel yelled, immediately pulling me closer to her to examine me. “Did he hurt you again?” Her eyes filled with tears.
I didn’t respond. Instead, I turned around and went back into the bedroom.
“Blessing what the fuck. You don’t have to keep dealing with this shit! Come on, get your shit. You’re not staying here anymore.” She said, following behind me.
“Chanel, please. I’m not leaving. We’re going to talk things out like always. I’m fine. I promise.”
“But you’re not fine! Look at your fucking neck, Blessing! This shit is not worth it, babe. When a man puts his hands on you, you leave the first time. He won’t stop until you’re in a body bag. I refuse to lose you behind this. You know what happened to my mom. Please Blessing. You have to leave.” She cried.
Hearing her cry caused my tears to fall again. I pulled her into me, hugging her tightly. I forgot how triggering domestic violence was to her. Her mom was murdered by her stepfather when we were children. Her situation was very similar to mine, except she didn’t try to leave until it was too late. “I’m sorry, Nel. I promise I’m going to leave the next time he hits me.”
“You don’t have a choice, or I’m telling Messiah.”
“I can’t call my brother to fight all my battles. I got it. He doesn’t need to be involved.”
“Fight what battles?” The sound of Seven’s voice startled both of us. We didn’t even hear him come in the house. I pulled away from Chanel and turned to face him. My heart melted when my eyes landed on the gift bags in his hands.
Chanel scoffed, shaking her head. “I’m going to head out. I’ll call you later. Happy birthday, Blessing.” She turned to leave before I could even respond to her.
“I don’t even know why you bring that bitch over here knowing she doesn’t like me.”
“It’s not that she doesn’t like you, Seven. She sees the bruises. She’s not stupid and don’t fucking disrespect her.” I snapped.
“Who the fuck you talkin’ to, Bless? I don’t give a fuck if it’s your birthday. I will break your fuckin’ jaw.” He dropped the bags he was holding and towered over me.
I walked into my grandma’s house, arms full of groceries. I just returned from Willow Creek with Saint a few hours ago and decided to grab groceries to bring to my grandmother. I wasn’t ready for our little trip to end, but my man needed to get back to work. He had conditioning and practice for the next few days. I was so nervous for him to get back on the field, but I knew my man would kill it. Although I wouldn’t be able to attend the away game, I planned on hosting a watch party to celebrate.
“Hey Granny!” I greeted, setting the groceries on the kitchen counter. I walked over to the recliner she was sitting in and kissed her cheek.
Her face twisted up as she wiped the spot I kissed. “I don’t know where your mouth has been. Nasty girl.” She put her Sudoku puzzle down and looked up at me, giving me a toothless smile. Her long blonde sister locs were in a bun on top of her head. “Look at you. You’re glowing, Puddin.”
I smiled. It had been a while since she called me by my childhood nickname. “Chanel said the same thing this morning.”
“Mhm. You got that good man in your life, treating you right and showing you what real love feels like. You’d better marry that man. I’m not gettin’ any younger, baby. I want to witness one of my grandchildren get married before I leave this earth.”
“You’re not going anywhere anytime soon. You’ll be here to see me become a wife and Journey walk across that stage. I don’t know about Siah, though.”
She huffed, shaking her head. “You know he’s been hunchin’ on your little friend he got workin’ for him.”
I gasped, taking a seat on the couch. “Nuh uh. He is not messing with Kaia. He wouldn’t cheat on Gia.”
“Oh, you haven’t heard? They ain’t together no more. Haven’t been since before Thanksgiving.”
“How do you know all this?”
“I know everything, Puddin’.” She shot me a wink and went back to her crossword puzzle. I shook my head, ignoring the double meaning. “Have you talked to your therapist about this new relationship?”
“No, Granny. I haven’t seen her in months. I don’t need to anymore, I’ve been fine.”
“Blessing.”
“Please don’t start. I told you I’m fine. You literally just said I’m glowing.” Instead of waiting for her response, I stood from the couch and made my way into the kitchen.
I cleaned her fridge before putting the new groceries away, mopped the floors, and meal-prepped a few meals for her toenjoy over the next couple of days. I made sure to grab some herbs from the garden before I left to meet with Eva, the Realtor.
“So, what do you think?” Eva asked as we stood outside the facility we’d just finished viewing.
“I am in loveee!” I gushed. The building was perfect. As soon as I stepped inside, I knew it was the one. The building used to be a gym that was closed down a few years ago. I could already envision the renovated luxury physical therapy facility. The floor-to-ceiling windows allowed the perfect amount of natural lighting.